I remember wandering around my yard with my camera in the rain five years ago, plotting my first blog posts.
A close friend spied me across the yards and gave me a playful teasing. Because yes, I was photographing the rain coming out of my gutters.
I remember feeling the tiniest bit embarrassed that she had seen me. That she knew what I was up to.
Because really – who was I to start blogging? What did I even have to say?
But I was determined just the same. So I kept photographing. And I started writing.
It was simultaneously scary, thrilling, and embarassing to hit "publish" on those first few posts. But I did it anyway.
And now it's been five years. Five years of sitting down in the early morning light, tea in hand, talking to you.
I don't recall precisely why I started this habit.
I think part of it was a desire to create a little transparency for my business. So that my customers had a better understanding of who I was. That I was a mama like them, not a big corporation somewhere.
I think part was a desire to have a creative outlet with two small children at home. Because I love to write and it had been a while. And what exactly did I do just for the joy of doing it back then? Just for me? I think this was the first thing I started doing almost selfishly. Because I wanted to.
And now five years have somehow passed and my small, quiet blog has remained a small and quiet blog, yet grown to embrace a beautiful community I never expected to find.
And now I write because I need it.
Writing feeds me. It gives me connection to a greater community as I live my quiet, semi-hermit life each day.
And somehow along the way I developed the confidence that I do have something to say. And I believe that sharing here can bring good to your lives and the lives of your kids.
And I didn't expect that.
I'm talking about this today because I know we have full lives. We're busy. Over-extended with too much on our have-to-do list.
But what's on your want to do list?
What could you do if all you had was time?
Then do that. Taste it. Dream about it. Make it a part of you.
Move toward it in small measured steps or great hungry bounds – beginning today.
Because even the long, hard days should be woven with something that we do just for the joy it brings our hearts.
Find what makes your heart sing.
Today. Tomorrow. Any chance you get. Becuase it will help you come alive.
And the joy that doing it brings into your life will transform you.
In ways you never imagined.
Thanks for coming here. I'm honored to have you as a part of my community. And I daresay you have changed me far more than I've changed you.
Love,
Rachel
I just came across your “small and quiet blog” and I just wanted to say thank you, it is now one of my regular visits…when I have a moment to myself.
Rachel, I for one am glad you started blogging. I read all your posts and 99% of them, I can connect with.
My to-do list started today actually, with a conversation with someone very wise about my life and career. I’m so excited to get started!
I love your blog, I have been reading regularly for maybe 2 years. But I have discover it before, I notice that recently.
I have been writing mine since October of 2005, there is some people that reads it, but almost no one ever comments, which gives me the sensation that nobody reads it, and still, I keep at it. Because I can’t stop, because I don’t want to, because I need to write and take pictures, because it’s, for me, a celebration of life.
And yours is, for me, no doubt.
Thank You for writing- you are super inspiring- not only with your peaceful parenting model but just your writing! I read your blog for a few years & took the leap to start writing my own!
Dear,
this is so well said. Make your heart sing! Every day.
As always your posts are timed so perfectly with my life. I’m a sahm to a 5 yr old boy and a 7 month old girl and after so many years of dreaming of doing something that inspires me, outside of raising a family, I finally have. I’m volunteering with a nonprofit CSA that works to supply steady income to our local Amish farmers and at the same time give access to fresh fruits and veggies to our urban communities living in food deserts. I’m so excited!
Congrats on 5 years! You are such an inspiration.
Happy anniversary ! I am glad you decided to make your voice heard, it’s a pleasure to hear you.
Thank you for sharing all these years! I followed you over from a comment you left on Soulemama years ago… 3? Anyway, I’ve come here regularly ever since. You truly have been an inspiration. Your blog has never made me feel inadequate, you don’t present some unattainable universe of perfection. But rather, a real vision of a real human striving for self actualization and truth. I dig it. And I can relate. To top it off you gave me the courage to try GAPS, make my own ghee, and my own yogurt! That was the start of a great healing journey for my son. You also make a terrific bug spray! Without “Hey, You. Shoo”. we’d be prisoners in our own home this crazy tick season! Congratulations on a beautiful blog.
High five!
Thank you.
I am so glad you share yourself with all of us! Congratulations on 5 years!
I love your blog! I have been thinking of sting my own for many the same reasons you did. After reading it has given some of that little push I need!
Thank you!
Wow I should have proofread! Sorry it is so crazy! I blame it on pregnancy brain! 🙂
I’ve only been following your blog for a couple of months but you move me so much with what you write, how you write, your gorgeous photographs. I am truly thankful that I came across your blog to enchant my life and make my semi hermit life with small children all the more beautiful.
Congrats on reaching five years of blogging! I’m so glad I discovered Clean. and your thoughtful, beautiful writing that never ceases to lead me to reflect on my life and how good I have it. 🙂
Thank you. I so needed to hear that on this hard day. My children are 6, 3 and 7 months and at the moment it is tough going. Thank you for the reminder to find a little time for me. 😉
I love your blog x